APR will be hoping to deny holders Rayon Sports a chance to retain the Heroes Cup title when the two bitter rivals square off at Amahoro Stadium on Friday.

Jimmy Mulisa’s APR, who lost the opening game 1-0 to AS Kigali last Saturday, revived their title hopes on Tuesday when they thumped Etincelles 4-0 at Kigali Stadium.

For the military side to win the tournament, they have to beat Rayon Sports and hope that AS Kigali drop points against Etincelles in the first game of the day.

Rayon Sports, after drawing 0-0 against AS Kigali on Tuesday and beating Etincelles 2-0 in their first match, lead the table with 4 points – a tally they share with second-placed AS Kigali. APR are third with 3 points while Etincelles are at the bottom without a point.

“APR always take the tie against Rayon seriously, they are strong opponents and our main rivals. The target is to win the game, and hopefully lift the title,” said head coach Jimmy Mulisa.

To retain the title, Rayon will need to beat APR, or get a draw, hoping that winless Etincelles stun Djuma Masudi’s AS Kigali.

Rayon Sports’ Brazilian coach Roberto Oliveira expects the clash against APR to be ‘a tough battle’ but tipped his players to reclaim the title.

“It’s going to be a tough match for both sides, but I have spoken with my players, and they are ready to give it everything possible to retain the title. It would be a massive boost ahead of the league’s second-half,” said Roberto.

The tournament winners will pocket Rwf4 million besides winning the trophy, twice the cash prize for first runners-up. The second runners-up and bottom side will walk away with Rwf1.5 million and Rwf1 million, respectively.

The 2019 Heroes Cup tournament is organised by the Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders and Decorations of Honour (CHENO) to mark the National Heroes’ Day, which falls on February 1.